English letter coding method and a small keypad

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a kind of coding method and related miniature keyboard for western characters. The invention assigns a 3-digit number that has specific value to every western letter. The 3-digit number corresponding to a letter is the code of this letter, which is composed of three numbers, namely, 0, 1 and 2. The total of corresponding modes that correlates the three-digit code with letters of alphabet is the factorial of 26, which is 4×10 26 . The data input keyboard that introduces this coding principle can be simplified as to a miniature keyboard that is consisted of only three input keys, which can be used as data input device for small portable electronic equipment and the like to replace traditional large keyboards. Besides, this coding method can be designed as a kind of tool for character games.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a kind of coding method andrelated miniature keyboard for western characters.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] With the rapid development of electronic computers, more and morecoding methods and data input keyboards come into being. Amongst themost commonly used are Pinyin (Chinese Phonetic-Alphabetic) Method,Five-Stroke Font Method, Zbeng Coding Method and the like, that are usedto input Chinese characters. However, the tools these data inputtingmethods use can only be traditional keyboards, which, besides beingclumsy in size and hence not easily carried, have various keys, forexample, keys for 26 letters, numerical keys etc, that not only renderblind typing difficult but also result in a low working efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In view of this, the present inventor, with his accomplishment inspecialty and theory in technology, has made possible the creation ofthe present invention after trials and errors interwoven withbreakthroughs and improvements.

[0004] The main object of this invention is to provide a coding methodfor the 26 letters per se, whereby it is realized that only three keysare needed to complete the input of English vocabulary.

[0005] A further object of this invention is to provide a handycharacter game device.

[0006] Yet another object of this invention is to provide a miniaturekeyboard with only three keys.

[0007] To achieve the objects mentioned above, the present invention isto be realized through the following technical solutions:

[0008] The western-character inputting method of the present inventionis a solution for coding of the 26 letters per se, in other words, itassigns a 3-digit number that has specific value to every letter. The3-digit number corresponding to each letter is composed of threenumbers, namely, 0, 1 and 2. The mathematical principle of the inventionis elucidated by the grid below on a step-by-step basis.

[0009] According to the ‘gravity’ principle, this kind of 2 multipliedby 3 of a grid can be visually regarded as three independent ‘poles’, oneach of which 0, 1 or 2 ‘cubic block(s)’ can be installed. When thethree ‘poles’ having ‘cubic block(s)’ are combined together, thecombination represents a code of a 3-digit number in mathematics, andeach number of such a code may be in three available states {‘0’, ‘1’,‘2’}.

[0010] The most maximally possible amount of codes for the combinationof these three ‘columns’ having ‘cubic block(s)’ may be 3×3×3=27, whichare specified as follows:

[0011] (000) (001) (002) (010) (011) (012) (020) (021) (022)

[0012] (100) (101) (102) (110) (111) (112) (120) (121) (122)

[0013] (200) (201) (202) (210) (211) (212) (220) (221) (222)

[0014] Zero code (000) is pre-reserved to represent null character orblank space. The other 26 codes may correspond seriatim to the 26letters in the alphabet; e.g., (002) stands for the letter ‘I’.

[0015] The total of corresponding modes for this 3-digit codespecifically corresponds to a given letter in the alphabet, e.g.,whether should (002) or (001) stand for the letter ‘I’, is the factorialof 26, which is 26×25×. . . ×1=4×10²⁶. This astronomical number of thecorresponding modes provides a feasible basis upon which users areentitled to set their individual encryption solutions.

[0016] A certain mode can be drawn from the 4×10²⁶ corresponding modesas a standard of default, whereupon the codes are converted into somevisible forms resembling, e.g., the letters in the alphabet. Suchvisible forms are extremely useful in the actual application.

[0017] For example:

[0018] Specific applications below are based on the above coding method.

[0019] 1). Games of riddles: Character games are received with worldwideenthusiasm, and patent rights have already been bestowed to some ofthem. This invention can also be used to create special character gamesthat are simple and challenging enough to be tool kits for householdentertainment. The feature that every letter has a corresponding code(‘Crypto-Grid’) provides a possibility to the reversion of letters. Thegame can also be a tool which makes it easier for kids and their parentsto learn the theory of ‘en-/decrypt’. The game can be designed to beplayed physically and electronically. Such games of riddles have beenproved to have global market competitiveness.

[0020] 2). Individual encryption/identification: Because of itsmulti-functional and easy-to-use characteristics, this inventionprovides a basis for individual users to set their own coding modes. Amode for individual coding solution is thereby created. This solution isessentially different from the encryption techniques of electronic dataexisting so far in that, the user may visually or physically explain theexchange of codes.

[0021] This invention can also be used as a kind of identification tool.According to the ‘gravity’ rule of the ‘Crypto-Grid’, all the ‘cubicblock(s)’ representing the numbers 0, 1 or 2 can be orderly arranged ina single line. Such a feature can be made into a physical coding toollike a versatile key or a key responsive only to each of the individualsin the world.

[0022] 3). Data input device: This invention is applicable to a kind ofminiature keyboard which is handy and convenient for portable orhand-held equipments.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0023] In the following, specific embodiments in combination with thedrawings are enumerated to explain the ways by which the presentinvention is to be carried out:

[0024]FIG. 1 shows a front view of the coding tool for westerncharacters of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 shows a view for the coding of the word ‘CRYPTO’ of thepresent invention;

[0026]FIG. 3 shows a view of physical embodiment of the character gamestool of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 4 shows a view of electronic embodiment of the charactergames tool of the present invention;

[0028]FIG. 5 shows the surface and three-dimensional as well as thefront, top and side views of the miniature keyboard of the presentinvention;

[0029]FIG. 6 shows the motion of the miniature keyboard of the presentinvention;

[0030]FIG. 7 shows the application of palm type, i.e., embodiment 1, ofthe miniature keyboard of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 8 shows the status of flat type, i.e., embodiment 2, beingbuilt in small portable electronic equipment as well as its front andside views of the miniature keyboard of the present invention;

[0032]FIG. 9 shows the front, side and top views of telegraph type,i.e., embodiment 3, of the miniature keyboard of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 10 shows the front, side and top views of piano type, i.e.,embodiment 4, of the miniature keyboard of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION EMBODIMENTS

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the coding tool for western characters of thepresent invention is consisted of at least six standardized cubic blocks1 and at least three independent rectangular poles 2; the threerectangular poles 2 separated by a certain distance in respect to eachother can stand upright and be movable on base 4; on the standardizedcubic blocks 1, there is a rectangular through hole 3, whose sectionalarea is slightly bigger than those of the rectangular poles 2 to allowthe cubic blocks 1 being put through on the rectangular poles 2 by wayof the through hole 3; and the height of the rectangular poles 2 atleast equals to the height of two cubic blocks 1, the number(s) of thestandardized cubic blocks being put through on each of the rectangularpoles 2 are the number(s) of the Crypto-Grid. Said cubic blocks 1 can bemoved out of the rectangular poles 2 to facilitate the representation ofthe codes for different English letters. It is shown in FIG. 1 the codesfor the 26 letters from A to Z and the code for null and space.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 2, the western word ‘CRYPTO’ is indicated onbase 4 by the coding tool for western characters.

[0036]FIG. 3 shows a view of physical embodiment of the coding methodfor western characters of the present invention fashioned into acharacter games tool; structurally similar to the coding tool shown inFIG. 1, by putting the cubic blocks 1 through on the rectangular poles 2and changing the numbers of the cubic blocks 1 on each of therectangular poles 2 from 0 to 2, one after another of the letters andwords can be represented according to the coding rule elucidated in FIG.1.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 4, by virtue of computer software, the charactergames of the present invention can be carried out on computers; onmonitor 1 of a computer, it may be visually seen that such charactergames are being carried out.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, a keyboard 11 of the present invention isconsisted of three keys 1, and three holes 3 are set up on coding base2, the keyboard 11 is fit together with coding base 2 by inserting keys1 into holes 3; each key of said keyboard 11 may be designated in threestates {‘0’, ‘1’, ‘2’}, by virtue of various combinations of the threestates of said three keys 1 and according to the coding principlementioned above, the input of western characters can be realized.

[0039]FIG. 6 shows the motion of the miniature keyboard of the presentinvention; when the states of the three keys are all in {222}, the dataof ‘null’ is inputted; when the states of the three keys are,respectively, {210}, the data of the letter ‘D’ is inputted.

[0040]FIG. 7 shows the palm type, i.e., embodiment 1, of the miniaturekeyboard of the present invention; the miniature keyboard ismanufactured into a palm type, with five keys on the board 4, whereinthe three keys 1 in the middle are enter keys, while the other keys 2, 3are function keys respectively. Such keyboards may be used as hand-helddata input devices, with characteristics of being handy in dimensionsand vivid in appearance.

[0041]FIG. 8 shows the status of flat-type keyboard, i.e., embodiment 2,being built in small portable electronic equipment, cell phone, as wellas the front and side views of the miniature keyboard of the presentinvention;

[0042]FIG. 9 shows the front, side and top views of telegraph type,i.e., embodiment 3, of the miniature keyboard of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 10 shows the front, side and top views of piano type, i.e.,embodiment 4, of the miniature keyboard of the present invention.

[0044] In view of the above, the miniature keyboard of the presentinvention that inputs data using only three keys has incomparableadvantages over traditional, large keyboards, and it can be manufacturedinto palm, flat, piano, telegraph types and the like, well adapted todata input for various small electronic equipments. The character gamestool of the present invention possesses the advantage of facilitatingkids and their parents to study and entertain together. Furthermore,before the application of the present invention, there has been nodisclosure of similar inventions. Therefore, the invention is inconformity with the requirement of the patent law. Your RespectedExaminer is hereby asked to carry out a detailed examination. It ishighly appreciated if the invention is granted early.

1. A coding method for western characters, characterized in that, everyletter in the western alphabet is assigned a 3-digit number that hasspecific value, the 3-digit number corresponding to a letter is the codeof this letter, which is composed of three numbers, namely, 0, 1 and 2;the total of corresponding modes for this 3-digit code specificallycorresponds to a given letter in the alphabet, e.g., whether should(002) or (001) stand for the letter ‘I’, is the factorial of 26, whichis 26×25×. . . ×1=4×10²⁶.
 2. A coding method for western characters ofclaim 1, characterized in that, at least one group of the codes of the26 letters from A to Z is as follows:


3. A games tool for western characters based on the coding method asdefined in claim 1, characterized in that, it is consisted of at leastsix movable standardized cubic blocks, at least three movablerectangular poles independent of each other and at least one base; saidbase being for the placement of the rectangular poles, on which thethree rectangular poles separated by a certain distance in respect toeach other stand upright; there being on the standardized cubic blocks arectangular through hole, whose sectional area is slightly bigger thanthose of the rectangular poles, and the height of the rectangular polesat least equaling to the height of two cubic blocks; the number(s) ofthe standardized cubic blocks being put through on each of therectangular poles being the numbers of the Crypto-Grid.
 4. A miniaturekeyboard based on the coding method as defined in claim 1, characterizedin that, it is consisted of three keys 1 and a coding base 2 on whichthree holes 3 being set up, keyboard 11 being fit together with thecoding base 2 by keys 1 being inserted into holes 3; each key of saidkeyboard 11 being designated in three states {‘0’, ‘1’, ‘2’}.
 5. Aminiature keyboard of claim 4, wherein the structural shape of thekeyboard is of a palm type.
 6. A miniature keyboard of claim 4, whereinthe structural shape of the keyboard is of a flat type that can be builtin small portable electronic equipments.
 7. A miniature keyboard ofclaim 4, wherein the structural shape of the keyboard is of a telegraphtype.
 8. A miniature keyboard of claim 4, wherein the structural shapeof the keyboard is of a piano type.